FREMONT - Fremont City Council welcomed three new members this week as newly elected councilmen Justin Smith, Jim Sleek and Chris Liebold were sworn in front of friends and family.

Sandusky County Juvenile and Probate Judge Brad Smith swore in all three council members in the city council chambers Thursday evening.

Judge Smith noted that he had also served as a city council member and was younger when he took office than Liebold, 26, who is holding his first elected position.

"We think he'll be the second youngest elected Fremont City Council member after me," Smith said, drawing laughter from the audience.

Council member Angie Ruiz and Treasurer Holly Elder both ran unopposed in the November general election.

Buy Photo

Jim Sleek, Fremont City Council Second Ward Democratic council member, is sworn in by Judge Brad Smith on Jan. 4, 2018 supported his wife, Brenda.(Photo11: Molly Corfman/The News-Messenger)

Family members gathered around Justin Smith in the lobby of Fremont's municipal building for photos after the ceremony.

In one of the closest races in city history, Smith defeated Don Nalley by two votes to become the new First Ward councilman in Fremont.

Smith said he wanted to improve communication between his constituents and the city.

"I'm excited to make a difference for the future," he said.

Inside council chambers, Liebold and Sleek congratulated each other briefly before the start of Thursday's regular council meeting.

The two Democrats beat incumbent council members Tony Taylor and Kathy Stout in November.

Liebold said he hoped to bring new ideas and energy to the council.

Buy Photo

Justin Smith, Fremont City Council First Ward Republican council member, is sworn in by Judge Brad Smith on Jan. 4, 2018 while his mother, Connie, and father, Mike, hold the Bible.(Photo11: Molly Corfman/The News-Messenger)

He said police dispatch and a proposed new homeless shelter on Birchard Avenue in the former Community Health Services site would be two of the most immediate issues facing city council in 2018.

"Filling that empty building is a sign of progress," Liebold said.

Sleek said he knew several council members and looked forward to working with them on economic development issues in the city.

He said he wanted to work on cleaning up some vacant buildings in his ward, Ward 2, and fixing up city roads.